Adobe’s graphic design software has been known as an industry standard for years, if not decades, and is among any professional’s standard set of tools. Its price reflects that status, and is a daunting outlay for most prospective design students. Fortunately, there are ways to obtain legal, licensed copies of the Adobe Creative Suite on a graphic design student’s budget.

Many industry jobs require familiarity with various Adobe software products, so it is important to gain experience with them as a student. Some coursework will use products such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign as tools for design projects, and the Creative Suite itself will be the subject of some courses. This makes purchase of the software mandatory, in the same way that classes require textbooks. Ownership of the software means that it is available for use at any time, which provides the student plenty of opportunity to become familiar and skilled with its use.

None of the above reduces the sticker shock that comes with the sight of the Adobe Master Collection’s $2,599 price tag. There are two things to keep in mind: there is no need to purchase Adobe’s full line of products, and there are significant discounts available for students.

Adobe features heavily discounted “Student and Teacher” versions of their software. The aforementioned Master Collection, for instance, is reduced to $799, a full $1,700 savings. Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design & Web Premium Student and Teacher edition omits the programs that are unrelated to graphic design, and its price is reduced from $1,899 to $449. The Design Standard version is further streamlined, and contains only Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat, but these may be the very ones required by a degree program. The Design Standard educational version is discounted from $1,299 to $349. Design Standard is the most affordable edition, but it is worth considering that the Design Premium edition includes the web authoring components Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks, which makes the extra $100 a significant bargain. These are not “crippled” versions with limited feature sets, but are the full versions of the Creative Suite programs, and are eligible for discounted upgrade pricing in the future.

These educational versions are easily obtainable at college bookstores, and often from online merchants, who will require proof of enrollment. They are also available directly from Adobe, who offer an extra option in the form of a “Creative Cloud” membership. Creative Cloud is a subscription service which gives access to the entire range of Adobe’s products. The products are installed to and run from the user’s computer, and can be used as long as the subscription is active. This service also is discounted for students, from $49.99 to $29.99. Individual CS6 titles are available in subscription editions, which can be an advantage if only one is required.

In order to become successful as a graphic designer, students must first complete the programs necessary to learn about the different types of equipment and tools available to people in this field. Many students complete a bachelor’s degree in graphic design at a school of art or at a liberal arts college to meet these requirements. In graphic design courses, students learn techniques such as printmaking, computerized design, commercial graphics production, and more. In many graphic design colleges, students also learn about art history and studio art to create a more balanced education.

Many graphic design schools help students focus on computerized art and web design as well as digital imaging, drawing, comic book design, and graphic design for film or television. All of these areas of study will help students in their search for a career as a graphic designer. Many employers look for those students who have completed internships in their field and who show a willingness to learn and work with others. Graphic design is a great field that allows students to use their talents to their maximum potential and spend time in a career that they enjoy. Coursework that culminates in a degree in graphic design is fun and artistically stimulating, and many students graduate fromgraphic design schools with a bright outlook on their future and their career.